Sedation Dentistry at Mint Dental Loft

Sedation dentistry at Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA combines proven medications with a calm, supportive environment to ease fear, reduce discomfort, and make longer or more complex procedures feel manageable. Whether you have mild worry or significant dental anxiety, we work with you to choose a safe, personalized option that helps you feel relaxed while we care for your smile.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses carefully chosen medications to help you feel calmer and more comfortable during dental treatment. Depending on the type of sedation, you may feel simply more relaxed, pleasantly drowsy, or so at ease that you remember very little of the appointment afterward. Throughout your visit, you remain monitored and supported by our trained team.

Sedation can be helpful if you have dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, trouble sitting still, or you need several treatments completed in fewer visits. Our goal is to make it easier to say “yes” to the care that protects your health.

• Reduced anxiety Sedation helps quiet racing thoughts so you can feel more at ease in the chair. Great for: patients with past negative experiences.
• More comfortable procedures Sedation works alongside local anesthetic to minimize discomfort and sensitivity.
• Fewer visits Feeling relaxed may allow us to complete more treatment in a single appointment.
• Improved gag reflex control Sedation can make impressions, X-rays, and treatment easier for those who gag easily.

Types of Sedation We May Recommend

Before suggesting sedation, we review your medical history, medications, and level of anxiety, then explain which options fit your situation. We always discuss what to expect, how to prepare, and how you will feel afterward.

• Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) A mild, inhaled sedative that helps you feel relaxed and wears off quickly, so you can usually drive yourself home. Ideal for: mild to moderate anxiety.
• Oral conscious sedation A prescribed pill taken before your visit that helps you feel deeply relaxed and less aware of time.
• Local anesthetic Precisely placed numbing medication to block pain while you remain awake and responsive.
• Customized combinations In some cases, we may pair nitrous oxide with local anesthetic for an extra layer of comfort.

Your Safety and Comfort

Safety is at the heart of our sedation dentistry approach. Before treatment, we carefully review your health, explain instructions, and answer all your questions. During your visit, we monitor your breathing, heart rate, and comfort level, adjusting as needed to keep you feeling safe and supported.

After your appointment, we provide clear home-care instructions and let you know what to expect as the sedation wears off. For stronger forms of sedation, you will need a responsible adult to drive you to and from our Altadena, CA office.

• Careful medical history review and pre-appointment screening
• Continuous monitoring of vital signs during sedation visits
• Modern anesthetic delivery techniques for gentle numbing
• Tailored post-visit instructions to support a smooth recovery

Am I a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

You may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry if you feel nervous about dental care, have had difficult experiences in the past, have trouble getting numb, or need extensive treatment completed efficiently. The best way to know is to schedule a consultation so we can talk through your concerns. Call Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA at (626) 610-4413 to learn more about your options, or contact us to request a convenient appointment time.